56492 Class 108 Driving Trailer Composite Lavatory
Home Railway |
Location History |
Dean Forest Railway Apr 92-Present |
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Current Location |
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Current Status |
Operational |
Visited Railways |
Aberthaw Power Station (Open Day) May 97 |
Current Livery |
BR Green (Speed Whiskers) |
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Cardiff Cathays (Contract repairs) Sep 10 |
TRA Designation |
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Partner Vehicle(s) |
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Owner |
Dean Forest DMU Group |
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Website |
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Record Last Updated |
13 January 2024 |
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Preservation Modifications |
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Preservation Information 56492 had some seats removed during the internal restoration and a buffet constructed in their place, to serve DFR passengers better. The buffet has been updated a number of times. In October 1993, 56492 was launched into passenger service. The summer of 1996 saw the vehicle repainted into BR Green with speed whiskers. In June 1996 the vehicle starred in the first "DMU Day", which evolved to become the annual railcar conventions hosted today. In 1999 the vehicle's tyres were turned. In February 2001, a new cab front was fitted. In autumn 2002, new cab lino was fitted. In October 2003, 56492, by this time paired with 51914, played a key part in the Tufts Shuttle being extended to Whitecroft. In March 2004, the buffet was refurbished and updated. In 2005, the bogies were changed and the roof water tanks removed. In December 2005, 56492 &51914 played a key part in the first services to Parkend. 2007 saw the roof repainted and the vehicle having a “bit” part in Casualty! The buffet was also updated again during this time. 2008 saw the vehicle repainted green, he preparation for which was done in such a way that the vehicle needed not to be withdrawn from traffic. In 2009, the vehicle had an interesting role as a driver training vehicle for Arriva Trains Wales. In September 2010 the vehicle's tyres were turned. During 2015 56492 ran as a 2-car set with 50619and accumulated almost 700 miles in service. In December it was taken into the railway's "paint tent" where the cab end was repainted and whiskers/lining reapplied. The opportunity was also taken to repaint the roof. In 2017, 56492 ran 1,336 miles as part of a 2-car set with 50619, as repairs to normal partner 51914 had been ongoing. In 2018 and 2019, in need of some work and with regular partner 51914 under overhaul, 56492 was not used. However, during the first half of 2020, the vehicle received some attention to return it to traffic. It re-entered service, paired with 51914, in the latter half of 2020. For 2021 it was reformed back original partner 50619 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of DMU's on the Dean Forest Railway. In 2022, 56492 operated 298 miles paired with 50619 and including some interesting 4-car & 6-car formations. 2023 saw 56492 & 50619 work all of the 17 DMU running days that year, clocking up 587 miles. They were strengthened to 3 and 4 cars on a handful of those days. |
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Future Plans |
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56492 (right) alongside 51566 at Norchard, 17/9/22. Darren JB |
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M56492/E50619 in service at Parkend, 4/5/22. Alan Pace |
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A typical "Dean Forest" view of M56492/M51914 running through the forest, 26/5/21. Dan Winter |
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M56492/M51914 in service at Parkend, 5/8/20. Alan Pace |
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M56492/M51914 at Norchard, 18/2/20. Nigel Benning |
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M56492 stabled at Norchard whilst its partner was receiving repairs, 16/5/18. Anthony Christie |
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M56492 is removed from the tent at Norchard after repainting, 6/1/16.Chris Bull |
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M56492 inside the tent at Norchard for repainting, 22/12/15. Chris Bull |
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M56492 inside the tent at Norchard for repainting, 5/12/15. Chris Bull |
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M56492 stands at Parkend, 22/7/15. Andy Miles |
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The full Dean Forest DMU fleet in all its glory: 51566/59387/50619 on the high level line near Norchard pass 56492/51914, 22/3/14. Stan Acaster |
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56492/51914 alongside more modern traction at Parkend, 22/3/14. Stan Acaster |
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56492 arriving into Norchard, 1/1/14. Chris Walker |
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56492 leads a four car set, 16/6/12. Chris Walker |
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56492, 50619, 59387 & 51914 at Norchard High Level on a test run the day before Railcar Day, the debut into traffic of 59387, 15/6/12. Alan Pace |
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56492 at Cardiff Cathays for tyre turning, 7/9/10. Martin Harrison |
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56492 on Thomas duty, 6/6/10. Dean Forest DMU Group |
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56492 at Norchard, 5/4/10. Dean Forest DMU Group |
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56492 at Parkend, 1/1/10. Dean Forest DMU Group |
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Covered in ice from a severe overnight frost the Dean Forest Railway's 56492 departs Norchard for Parkend. The DMU was a replacement for the steam locomotive which could not run due to "Severe Weather Conditions", 28/12/09. Griffin-Images |
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56492 in service with 51914 at Lydney, 27/9/08. Roger Budd |
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56492 in service with 51914 at Lydney, 27/9/08. Roger Budd |
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56492 leads a 3-car formation at parkend, 15/7/07. Rob Phillips |
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56492 leads a 3-car formation at parkend, 15/7/07. Rob Phillips |
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56492 at Norchard, 7/5/07. Daniel Adkins |
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56492, 51914 & 50619 at Parkend. This was a members special to celebrate the opening of the extension, 3/12/05. Alan Pace |
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56492, 51914 & 50619 at Parkend. This was a members special to celebrate the opening of the extension, 3/12/05. Chris Walker |
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56492 at Norchard, 24/9/05. Dean Forest DMU Group |
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56492 & 51914 at Norchard High Level, August 2004. Peter Wreford |
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56492 at Norchard High Level, 4/7/04. Simon Jones |
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56492 at Norchard, 26/6/04. Simon Edwards |
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56492 at Middle Forge, 28/3/04. Dean Forest DMU Group |
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56492 at Middle Forge, 6/9/03. Dean Forest DMU Group |
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56492 during the 1st National DMU Owners convention, 29/6/96. Stuart Mackay |
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A rare view of 56492 during the 1990's showing the half yellow panel which it carried for a brief time. Brian Battersby |
Interior
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The rear saloon inside M56492, showing the buffet conversion, 23/4/22. Chris Moxon |